Six Months Ours

Today is our six month anniversary of Jordy's adoption!  Time flies whether we like it or not.  So much has happened in six months.  This week I've been thinking about everything we've managed to fit in and it's hard to believe.

1.  Three visits to the dentist (one just today for our six month cleaning).
2.  Two pediatrician visits including vaccinations both times.
3.  Six trips to Chicago including visits with Surgeon, Neurologist, Physical Therapists, and Upper Limb Ortho Specialist.
4.  Two lab draws plus two drop off labs and a round of antibiotics.
5.  Two surgeries . . . one minor, one major.
6.  Visit to Social Security office in Fort Wayne to make him official.
7.  Five holidays:  Labor Day, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years.

It's been a whirlwind and Jordy never ceases to amaze people with his ability to adapt.  His language skills shock everyone he meets.  His vocabulary is better than some four year old children raised in the US.  He has had the unfortunate pleasure to be stuck in a cast for 7 weeks, then placed into a confining pillow, and he hasn't complained.  Rather, he's adapted each and every time he's been placed under different restrictions. All the while, he's smiling and loving life, loving his siblings, loving food, loving snow, and just being himself. Not much else to say except that I love that in his very limited time here in the US, Jordy has proven that he is destined for great things!  Ain't no mountain high enough to keep him from his happiness and goals.

Quick update before my normal photo parade.  We visited Shriners on Friday the 7th and Jordy was given the O-K to start applying weight on his surgically repaired hip and leg.  Yahoo!  It was getting challenging keeping him from using it anyways.  They have ordered him an abductor brace which he will wear for the next 3-6 months.  The long term goal is to drive Jordy's femoral head deep into the hip socket which will promote healthy bone growth and hopefully we can prevent future dislocation of his hip.  No other surgeries will be attempted for at least 6 months.  At some point very near, Jordy will begin formal physical therapy but we are holding off just a bit longer and opting to work on leg strength at home.  The issue now goes beyond using his newly repaired hip but rather training him to weight bear and use his right leg.  He's never had to and while there are some leg length issues in regards to his right knee's inability to fully extend, the capability is still there.  Many prayers are appreciated here in convincing Jordy of his abilities.  He could absolutely walk now if he's willing to put forth the work.  Walking could even help his right hip that needs surgery.  Time will tell . . .

Thank you Apple for this wonderful thing called FaceTime!  Because of this marvelous creation, we can spend time talking with one of Jordy's caretakers and our new found friends in China during Chinese New Year!

While I don't know a lick of Chinese and they know very little English, with a little help from Google Translate (the next best invention since FaceTime and sliced bread), we managed to talk for over an hour.

She's such a beautiful person inside and out and I love talking and learning new things from her.

Oh darn, there is a lot of snow outside and it's bitter cold.  What ever shall we do?

Year two for Gerik playing basketball and he's having a lot of fun!

He's got quite the creative streak.  Here is one of his many inventions.

Caydra's first year playing basketball.  She's doing great and has finally realized that there are more players than just the person that scores on the floor!

Between snow storms, we even managed to make it to our YMCA to climb the rock wall.  Gerik, like his mother, is not a fan of heights.  He made it pretty far considering!  I can proudly say that I did make it to the top.

Natalie gave a valiant effort considering her legs simply weren't long enough to climb at times.

Caydra worked the hardest and made it the least amount but her sheer determination put me to shame.